St. Anna was a younger daughter of Vortimer
Fendigaid, the King of Gwerthefyriwg - what is now Gwent, where
she grew up. She married, as her first husband, Cynyr
Ceinfarfog (the Fair Bearded), Lord of Caer-Goch in Dyfed
and St. Ann's Head, west of Milford Haven in this kingdom, is probably
named after her. The two had at least six children together, the eldest of
whom was the famous Arthurian warrior, Cai Hir
(the Tall), and another was the mother
of St. David. Following Myrddin (alias Merlin)'s
agreement with the High-King
Uther that his son should be brought up in secret, the family was
expanded by the addition of a foster-son, the future High-King
Arthur.

Though this lady is mostly recorded
in manuscripts of very late date, her circumstances seem to fit rather
well. She is probably to be identified with the historically established
Anna, mother of St. Samson, who was also from Gwent. Some time after
Arthur's ascendancy to the British throne, Cynyr seems to have passed away
and Anna's hand was sought by Prince Amon Ddu
(the Black) of Brittany. After they married, Amon moved to Anna's
Dyfed home and became a high-ranking official at the Royal Court. They had
at least three children, Samson, Tydecho
and Tegfedd, all of whom entered a religious life. Samson became an influential bishop
and eventually persuaded his parents to also enter the church. Amon became
a monk at Ynys Byr (Caldey Island), whilst Anna moved back to her native
Gwent. The 'Virtuous' Holy Well at Trellech was originally dedicated to
her; but she is better known for founding churches further east in what is
now Gloucestershire, at Oxenhall and
Siston. Samson visited her at the former and dedicated both her
foundations. The holy well of St. Anne in the Woods at Brislington may
also be named after her.